Aubrey Nistler ’25 selected for prestigious exchange program
Aubrey Nistler ‘25 has been selected for the 2025-2026 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program, a prestigious fellowship that sends just 65 Americans each year to live, study, and work in Germany. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the German Bundestag, and Cultural Vistas, the program (now in its 42nd year) aims to strengthen transatlantic ties through cultural diplomacy and hands-on professional experience.
The year-long program begins with a two-month intensive language course, followed by a semester of study at a German university and a five-month internship in the participant’s career field. This year’s CBYX cohort departed in the fourth week of July and will return in June 2026.
For Nistler, a political science major with concentrations in international relations and Latin American studies, the opportunity felt like a natural extension of her studies at St. Olaf. She first heard about the program while working at the Piper Center for Vocation and Career. Seeing the CBYX listing in a digest she was preparing, she was immediately drawn to the program’s focus on diplomacy and international cooperation.
“Honestly, this program was something I could have never imagined before finding it,” Nistler says. “It aligns with so many of my interests, and I am so excited to learn more about Germany and be immersed in a different culture and context for the next year.”
Nistler credits her time at St. Olaf — including a study-away semester in Washington, D.C. — with preparing her for the competitive selection process. In addition to discussing her personal experiences and goals, the interview required extensive knowledge on European politics, German history, and even a few questions in German.
“They weren’t just looking for someone with a bunch of internships or experience — they wanted someone who is adaptable, curious, and open to learning from others,” Nistler says. “They wanted someone who is multifaceted, capable of being independent, but also knows how to live with a new community. Coming from a liberal arts institution, we were encouraged to be all of those things.”
Originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Nistler will begin her CBYX journey in the southern German village of Radolfzell, near the Swiss border, before continuing to her internship in Saarbrücken, near France. She’ll live with a host family during the language phase, and hopes to intern with the German-American Institute.
“The organization focuses on promoting exchange and understanding between the two countries,” Nistler says. “That truly has been my focus for the past four years: How do countries negotiate and work together and cooperate, what causes conflict and how do communities resolve it? I’ve always loved comparative politics, and this internship is the model that will allow me to understand how the United States is viewed by Germany, and vice versa, as well as its relationships with other countries.”
Although this will be her first time traveling outside of the United States, Nistler sees the experience as a launching pad for a global career in diplomacy, conflict resolution, or international development. Long term, she hopes to work in spaces that foster cross-cultural understanding.
“I appreciate what I’ve learned in Minnesota, but I know that to work in the international arena, you have to go beyond its borders to work with the organizations and people across the globe,” Nistler says. “This program is my first step into that.”
Asked what advice she’d offer others considering a similar opportunity, Nistler had this to say:
“When leaving college, I think a lot of us are thinking about fundamental questions of security: Where am I going to live? How will I feed myself? What is the process for health insurance? All of those questions still exist for me, and could have very easily prevented me from exploring programs like this, but in many ways I think these programs provide participants with direction and stability. On paper, It might not look the same as having a full-time job, but I have purpose for the next year, and I know I am building a bridge to my career.”